On October 9th, a group of Sustainability Institute staff and students attended Alnoba’s Leadership Teach-In, joining “leaders fighting for environmental and social justice and young people for a day of learning, inspiration, and connection. Alnoba’s Leadership Teach-Ins are events that gather some of the most powerful voices in the fight for a healthier planet, a more just world and more level playing field for young people. All of this happened in the unique setting of Alnoba, a Passive House Institute-certified gathering space set on 600 acres of forests, fields and a world class outdoor art collection."
The first time I attended the Alnoba Teach-Ins, I was a student and intern at the Sustainability Institute, still trying to figure out my path after graduation.
I loved hearing from professionals in the sustainability field, learning about their work in this vast and ever-evolving industry. This year, I returned as a full-time employee of the Sustainability Institute—a young leader—eager to deepen my leadership abilities for my new role.
One session, “The Top 5 Keys to High Performing Teams,” resonated with me the most. In a smaller group of leaders, where I was the youngest, I engaged in vulnerable and meaningful conversations about our past experiences and future ambitions, which ultimately reshaped my leadership approach. I heard candid stories from seasoned leaders about the struggles they’ve faced—not just in managing businesses and teams, but in striving to be supportive, effective leaders and the challenges that come with that.
I learned that I won’t be able to solve everyone’s problems or do everyone’s jobs—much as I might want to. I also realized how crucial transparency in leadership is, because no one is perfect, and creating a positive work culture is the foundation of a high-performing team.
The first time I attended, my fellow interns and classmates were as inspired as I was, leaving with similar takeaways. Now, as a leader and supervisor, I was eager to learn from the experience again, while also hoping the students would find it just as impactful. Many of us attended the same morning session, “Strong Girls, Strong Women, Stronger World,” and had an incredible discussion afterward. Attending Alnoba as a student is a unique and enriching experience; there aren’t many environments like it. I was thrilled to see our students so engaged and passionate about new ideas. I’m incredibly grateful to have had another opportunity to be part of this inspirational space, and to witness the students finding it just as transformative.
